Apple mac pro early 2009 User Manual

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 41 2010-09-27
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause:  Optical drive(s), hard drive(s), fans, memory, processors, PCIe cards, speaker, 
AirPort card, Bluetooth card
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Intermittent Shutdown
• Computer intermittently shuts 
down, restarts, sleeps
• Fans run fast
• Slow computer performance 
prior to intermittent shutdown, 
restart, sleep
1. Confirm known good AC power source, and a 
known good power cord is fully inserted into the 
back of the computer
2.  Reset SMC
3. Power ON the computer
4.  After power ON, verify front panel power/sleep 
LED illuminated, and not flashing any error 
sequences indicating a memory failure.
5. Startup from known good compatible boot 
device with ‘Shift’ key to boot into safe mode.
6.  Check system.log in the Console to identify 
possible shutdown causes. If the computer won’t 
stay ON for long enough this step may require 
placing the customers’ hard drive into a known 
good computer and retrieving the logs.
7. Confirm Energy Saver Settings, check for 
scheduled shutdown/startup/sleep times
8.  Run AHT/ASD for sensor/fan thermal tests. Reset 
SMC by unplugging the AC power cord for 15 
seconds. Reconnect the power cord ensuring the 
power button is not being pressed at the time. 
After 5 seconds press the power button and 
verify if the computer turns on.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 42 2010-09-27
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify shutdown/restart/
sleep issue does not occur 
with a known good AC 
Mains power source. Rule out  
customer environment such 
as defective uninterruptable 
power supplies. Rule out 
power generators which may 
produce noisy power, straining 
the computer’s internal power 
supply and causing issues. 
YesSuspect unstable AC Mains 
power source. Using an 
alternate AC Mains power 
source resolves issue. 
NoGo to step 2
2.  Remove all non critical internal 
and external peripherals, i.e. 
AirPort, Bluetooth, PCIe cards, 
external USB drives etc. Verify 
shutdown/restart/sleep issue 
does not occur
YesShutdown/restart/sleep issue 
does not occur when internal 
and external peripherals 
removed. Troubleshoot 
suspect peripherals.
NoGo to step 3
3. Verify if fans are running fast.YesGo to “Fast/Failed Fans” Flow
NoFans running at normal speed. 
Go to step 4.
4.  Reset SMC and verify computer 
functions correctly and does 
not intermittently shutdown/
restart/sleep.
YesCorrupt SMC State causing 
power stability issues. 
Resetting SMC has resolved 
the issue.
NoGo to step 5
5. Attempt to boot from original 
or compatible install media, or 
from a known good external 
hard drive with compatible OS 
X installed.  
Verify computer stays ON 
without any intermittent 
shutdown/restart/sleep.
YesComputer power remains 
stable and does not 
intermittently shutdown/
restart/sleep. Clean install 
customer HD with compatible 
OS. Perform all Software 
Updates if required. 
NoGo to step 5  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 43 2010-09-27
6. Disconnect all internal boot 
volumes. The computer 
should not discover any boot 
volumes, and start to flashing 
Folder? Verify if the computer 
continues to intermittently 
shutdown/restart/sleep 
YesComputer continues to 
shutdown/restart/sleep.  Refer 
to Minimum Configuration 
Testing troubleshooting: 
Remove all modules and 
peripherals not critical to 
operation. Verify computer 
functions correctly and does 
not shutdown/reset/sleep 
unexpectedly. Then reinstall 
modules one at a time and 
restest until symptom returns. 
Verify if the last module 
added is not the cause by 
removing again. 
NoRun Apple Service Diagnostic 
from an external USB drive. 
Suggest to also go to 
Minimum Configuration 
Testing if no errors are found.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 44 2010-09-27
Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes
Unlikely cause:  Power supply, fans, enclosure
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and 
Freezes
• Computer has kernel panic 
or freezes on startup or when 
operating
• Memory not recognized in 
System Profiler
• Fans run fast
1. Reseat all DIMMs. Refer to Memory Diagnostic 
LEDs. 
2.  Reset SMC
3. After power ON, verify front panel power/sleep 
LED illuminated, and not flashing any error 
sequences indicating a memory failure.
4.  It is suggested to remove an installed RAID card 
and SAS drives during troubleshooting. Identify 
the bays where each drives were removed if 
separating from the drive carriers. Install a known 
good SATA drive in bay #1 with compatible Mac 
OS X installed.
5. Verify the video card is supported in this 
computer. Previous model Mac Pro video cards 
may not be compatible. Cross reference the EEE 
Code and GSX part number. 
6.  Verify with known good and compatible ECC 
DIMMs. Installing a non-ECC DIMM will cause all 
memory to run as non-ECC. Note that memory 
from older computers is not compatible and 
cannot be used. See Memory Configuration.
7. Ensure the compatible memory is filled in the 
correct order in the memory slots. If memory 
is not configured for the best performance 
the “Memory Slot Utility” will appear onscreen 
and recommend an improved configuration. 
To use the utility again go to /System/Library/
CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility
8.  Confirm total memory in System Profiler.
9. Startup with ‘Shift’ key down for safe mode boot. 
Check panic.log info for crash cause.
10.  Startup from original install media, or known 
good boot device with compatible OS X.
11. Run AHT or ASD.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 45 2010-09-27
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Remove and reseat all DIMM’s.  
 
If any memory diagnostic 
LEDs are illuminated on the 
processor board, refer to 
Troubleshooting Memory 
LEDs before proceeding.
 
Verify the computer starts 
without issue.
YesReseating the DIMMs 
appears to resolve issue. 
Verify computer continues to 
function without freezing or 
kernel panic.
NoComputer had kernel panic 
or freeze during boot. Go to 
step 2.
2.  Disconnect all peripherals and 
PCIe cards. Install known good 
and compatible video card 
(ensure the card goes into PCIe 
slot #1 (16x), and has booster 
power cable connected if 
required)
YesSuspect peripherals or PCIe 
cards as cause. Reconnect one 
at a time, verifying computer 
operation at each stage
NoComputer had kernel panic 
or freeze during boot. Go to 
step 2
3. Reset SMC and verify that unit 
starts without issue.
YesCorrupt SMC state causing  
stability issues. Reset SMC has 
resolved.
NoComputer had kernel panic 
or freeze during boot. Go to 
step 3
4.  Verify all fans are spinning and 
adequate airflow around the 
computer. 
YesAll fans are spinning, and 
adequate airflow. Go to step 4
NoOne or more fans are not 
spinning. Go to Computer 
Runs Slow with Fast/Failed 
Fans.
5. Attempt to boot with original 
install media or from an 
external hard drive with 
compatible OS X installed. 
Verify the computer is able to 
successfully boot to the Finder. 
YesComputer boots without 
kernel panic or freeze using 
external drive. Corrupt OS 
installed or damaged internal 
boot drive. Run ASD/Disk 
Utility drive test and replace 
hard drive if test fails.  
Clean Install with compatible 
Mac OS X
 
 
 
H03
NoComputer had kernel panic 
or freeze during boot. Go to 
step 5  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 46 2010-09-27
6. Inspect if any memory error 
LED’s illuminated. Install 1 
only known good compatible 
memory DIMM in memory 
slot#1. Verify computer boots 
without kernel panic or freeze.
YesComputer boots without 
kernel panic or freeze with 
only 1 DIMM installed.  
Re-install the customer 
memory (using optimized 
recommend configurations) 
until the at fault memory is 
identified. Use extra known 
good memory to identify 
the faulty memory module. 
Replace the faulty memory 
module.
M07
NoGo to step 5
7. Start with ‘Shift’ key to boot 
into safe mode. If computer 
still crashes during boot, place 
the hard drive into a good 
computer to access the Panic 
log.  
Check panic log to determine 
if an I/O interface has crashed, 
i.e. AirPort card, Bluetooth card, 
hard drive, optical drive etc
YesKernel panic relates to I/O 
device crash. Go to step 7 
NoKernel panic is not relating to 
an I/O crash. Go to step 8  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 47 2010-09-27
8. Disconnect the suspected 
module and any related cables 
from the Back Plane board. 
 
Attempt to boot with original 
install media or from an 
external hard drive with 
compatible OS X installed. 
Verify the computer is able to 
successfully boot to the Finder. 
 
YesComputer does not kernel 
panic or freeze when the 
suspect I/O module is 
removed. Replace the affected 
I/O module. 
 
If AirPort module, replace 
AirPort module.  
 
If Bluetooth module, replace 
Bluetooth module. 
 
If optical drive, replace optical 
drive cable and retest.  
If issue remains, try using 
known good optical drive. 
If issue resolved, replace 
defective optical drive. 
 
If hard drive, try using known 
good hard drive. If issue 
resolved, replace defective 
hard drive. 
 
If PCIe card, try using known 
good, compatible PCIe card, 
If issue resolved, replace 
defective PCIe card.
 
 
 
 
 
 
N13 
 
 
M11 
 
 
X03 
J03 
 
 
 
 
 
H01 
 
 
 
 
M17
NoComputer still has kernel 
panic or freeze during startup. 
Go to step 8.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 48 2010-09-27
9. Run ASD to test hardware 
function. Verify ASD does 
report errors.
YesASD reports errors detected.  
 
 
 
 
If processor, processor board, 
backplane board, front panel 
board, replace affected 
module and retest.  
M05 
(Hang/
freeze) 
or
M06 
(Kernel 
Panic/
Crash)
or
M24 
(Con- 
nectors 
broken, 
bent, or 
hurt)
NoASD does not report any 
errors, or is unable to run 
without experiencing 
kernel panic or freeze. Go to 
Minimum Configuration 
Testing.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — No Video 49 2010-09-27
No Video
Unlikely cause:  Power supply, fans, speaker, AirPort card, Bluetooth card
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Video
• No power perceived
• No video
• Dim video
1. Reseat all DIMMs. Refer to Memory Diagnostic 
LEDs. 
2.  Attach a known good and compatible DVI or 
Mini-DP monitor to computer’s video card. Verify 
video cables and connectors are free from defects 
(including bent pins). Verify the power booster 
cable is secure to the video card if required. 
3. Power OFF/ON the display.
4.  Verify the video card is supported in this 
computer. Previous model Mac Pro video cards 
may not be compatible. Cross reference the EEE 
Code and GSX part number. 
5. Reset RTC.
6.  Confirm at least one known good and compatible 
memory DIMM is installed in the computer.
7. After power ON, verify front panel power/sleep 
LED illuminated, and not flashing any error 
sequences indicating a memory failure. Caps lock 
LED illuminates when press CapsLock key.
8.  Verify the computer is alive by listening for the 
drive booting sounds. If not detected go to 
Power, but No Boot Quick Check.
9. Remove non essential peripheral cards
10.  Reseat video card (and power boost cable if 
required) in the correct PCIe slot
11. Remove onboard backup battery.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Disconnect all internal drives. 
Attach a known good display 
to the video card. Power ON 
the computer and verify video 
is observed on the display.
YesVideo observed. Go to step 2.
NoNo video observed. Go to 
step 3.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — No Video 50 2010-09-27
2. Verify the video quality 
observed is OK 
YesVideo quality OK. Go to step 5.
NoVideo has poor quality, e.g. 
dim, distorted, etc. Go to step 
4.
3. Reset SMC and PRAM. Reseat 
memory, processor tray, video 
card. Verify video is observed.
YesVideo observed. Go to step 2.
NoMove the video card into 
PCIe slot #2 to determine if 
backplane board PCIe slot #1 
is defective. Retest.  
If video observed in PCIe slot 
#2, replace backplane board.                    
If no video observed in PCIe 
slot#2, replace video card. 
Alternate: Go to step 7.
M03
4.  Reset SMC and PRAM. Reseat 
memory, processor tray, video 
card. Verify video quality 
observed is OK.
YesGo to step 5.
NoReplace video card. Alternate: 
Go to step 7.
M03
5. Reconnect an internal boot 
drive. Allow the computer to 
boot (video software drivers 
will load). Verify video quality 
is OK
YesVideo quality observed is 
OK. Problem maybe with 
the customer display, or the 
customer display may not be 
compatible.
NoVideo quality problem 
evident after booting. Verify 
video card fan operating, 
and is not clogged with dust 
preventing adequate cooling. 
Go to step 6.